Hair cosmetic composition

ABSTRACT

Provided is a hair cosmetic composition which comprises the following components (A) to (D):  
     (A): an organic acid,  
     (B): an organic solvent selected from aromatic alcohols, polyols and carbonates,  
     (C): a cationic surfactant, and  
     (D): a higher alcohol, and water and has a pH ranging from 2 to 6.  
     The hair cosmetic composition has excellent effects for repairing or preventing hair damage caused by coloring, permanent waving or blow drying and features good feeling upon use and luster improving effect.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair cosmetic compositionwhich has excellent effects for repairing or preventing hair damagecaused by coloring or blow drying, has good feeling upon use and iseffective for improving the luster and shine of the hair.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] With recent popularization of hair coloring, damage aftertreatment with a coloring system (one-part type or two-part type) suchas dryness or difficulty in styling of the hair has drawn attentions.The permanent waved hair also suffers such damage. The hair damage dueto coloring or permanent waving treatment is said to occur because poresappear inside of the hair by chemical factors of the hair dye orpermanent waving agent applied to the hair.

[0003] The hair loses its luster and moisture even by blow drying aftershampooing. Such damage is found to occur because the inside of the hairbecomes porous by the heat from a drier (Fragrance Journal, No. 6,11(2000)).

[0004] For improving the touch feel of the shampooed hair, a haircosmetic composition such as hair rinse, hair conditioner or hairtreatment has been used. This hair cosmetic composition contains acationic surfactant. Since single use of it is not sufficient forimproving touch feel such as flexibility, a higher alcohol has been usedin combination. This higher alcohol imparts the hair with flexibilityand oily feel, thereby attaining an improvement in the touch feel. Owingto its high melting point, however, addition of it makes preparation ofa hair cosmetic composition cumbersome and moreover, the hair cosmeticcomposition thus prepared involves a problem in stability (JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 2000-72628, etc.).

[0005] Various hair cosmetic compositions having an organopolysiloxaneoxyalkylene copolymer, acrylic resin or the like incorporated therein inorder to improve optical properties of the hair such as luster have beenproposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokal) No.Sho 55-33745). In these cosmetic compositions, improvement of opticalproperties is attained by the action of such a component on cuticlesexisting on the hair surface or in the vicinity thereof and its effectis only temporary and is not sufficient. In addition, a hair cosmeticcomposition for imparting the hair with luster by using a cationicsurfactant in combination with a polyhydric alcohol, hydroxypropylcellulose or the like is also proposed (Japanese Patent Publication No.2998027), but it involves a problem in the touch feel upon applicationto the hair.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a hair cosmeticcomposition which is capable of repairing pores formed inside of thecolored, permanent waved or blow dried hair or preventing formation ofthem; is capable of imparting the hair with flexibility and oil feel,and in turn, smooth touch and improving optical properties of the hairsuch as luster, thus having excellent hair conditioning effects; isexcellent in feeling upon use when applied to the hair; and has goodstability.

[0007] The present inventors have found that a hair cosmetic compositioncapable of satisfying the above-described requirements is available byusing an organic acid, a specific organic solvent, a cationic surfactantand a higher alcohol in combination and adjusting its pH within aspecific range.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, there is thus provided ahair cosmetic composition which comprises the following components (A)to (D):

[0009] (A): an organic acid,

[0010] (B): an organic solvent selected from aromatic alcohols, polyolsand carbonates,

[0011] (C): a cationic surfactant, and

[0012] (D): a higher alcohol, and water and has a pH ranging from 2 to6.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a method for repairing pores formed inside of the colored,permanent waved or blow dried hair; or a method for preventing formationof pores inside of the colored, permanent waved or blow dried hair, eachmethod being characterized by the application of the above-mentionedhair cosmetic composition to hair.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] Examples of the organic acid to be used as the component (A)include alkylsulfuric acids, alkylphosphoric acids, monocarboxylicacids, dicarboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids and polycarboxylicacids. Of these, carboxylic acids are preferred, with dicarboxylic acidsand hydroxycarboxylic acids being especially preferred.

[0015] Specific examples of the dicarboxylic acids include malonic acid,succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid andphthalic acid, with maleic acid being especially preferred, while thoseof the hydroxycarboxylic acids include glycolic acid, lactic acid,hydroxyacrylic acid, oxybutyric acid (particularly, α-oxybutyric acid),glyceric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid. Of these,α-hydroxycarboxylic acids, especially, lactic acid and malic acid arepreferred.

[0016] As the component (A), two or more of the above-exemplified onesmay be used in combination. The content of the component (A) ispreferably 0.1 to 20 wt. % (which will hereinafter be called “%”,simply), more preferably 0.2 to 15%, especially 0.2 to 10%, each basedon the whole composition.

[0017] Examples of the organic solvent serving as the component (B)include benzyl alcohol, benzyloxyethanol, propylene carbonate, andpolypropylene glycol. As polypropylene glycol, preferred is that havingan average molecular weight (as measured by GPC) of 200 to 700,especially 300 to 500.

[0018] The content of the component (B) is preferably 0.1 to 20%, morepreferably 0.5 to 10%, especially 1 to 10% based on the wholecomposition.

[0019] As the cationic surfactant serving as the component (C),preferred is that represented by the following formula:

[0020] [wherein, R¹ and R² each independently represents a hydrogenatom, a C₁₋₂₈ alkyl group or a benzyl group, with the proviso that R¹and R² do not represent a hydrogen atom or a benzyl group at the sametime, and X⁻ represents an anion]. It is preferred that one of R¹ and R²represents a C₁₆₋₂₄ alkyl group, especially a C₂₂ alkyl group,particularly linear alkyl group, while the other one represents a C₁₋₃alkyl, particularly methyl group. Examples of the anion X⁻ includehalide ions such as chloride ions and bromide ions, and organic anionssuch as ethyl sulfate ions and methyl carbonate ions. Among them, halideions, particularly, chloride ions are preferred.

[0021] As the component (C), mono(long-chain alkyl) quaternary ammoniumsalts are preferred. Specific examples include cetyltrimethylammoniumchloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, arachyltrimethylammoniumchloride and behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, withbehenyltrimethylammonium chloride being especially preferred. Thesemono(long-chain alkyl) quaternary ammonium salts usually have adistribution in the number of the carbon atoms of their long-chain alkylgroup. The narrower distribution is preferred. More specifically, thecontent of the compound contained most in the component (C) ispreferably 70 to 100%, especially 80 to 100%.

[0022] As the component (C), two or more of the above-described ones maybe used in combination. Its content is preferably 0.5 to 10%, morepreferably 1 to 10%, especially 2 to 10% based on the whole composition.

[0023] As the component (D), higher alcohols having a C₁₂₋₂₈ alkylgroup, more preferably, a C₁₆₋₂₄ alkyl group, especially a C₂₂ alkylgroup are preferred. As this alkyl group, a linear one is preferred.

[0024] Specific examples of the component (D) include cetyl alcohol,stearyl alcohol, arachyl alcohol and benehyl alcohol, with behenylalcohol being especially preferred. These higher alcohols usually have adistribution in the number of carbon atoms of their long-chain alkylgroup. The narrower distribution is preferred. More specifically, thecontent of the compound contained most in the component (D) ispreferably 70 to 100%, especially 80 to 100%.

[0025] As the component (D), two or more of the above-described higheralcohols may be used. The content of it is preferably 1 to 20%, morepreferably 1 to 10%, especially 2 to 10% based on the whole composition.

[0026] It is preferred from the viewpoint of the smoothness upon rinsingthat the compounds contained most in the components (C) and (D), thatis, compounds which occupy 70 to 100%, especially 80 to 100% of thecomponents (C) and (D), respectively, have the same long-chain alkylgroup, especially, a behenyl group.

[0027] The hair cosmetic composition of the present invention preferablycontains a silicone as the component (E). Examples of the siliconeinclude dimethyl polysiloxane, alkyl-modified polysiloxane,fluorine-modified polysiloxane, polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane,carboxylic-acid-modified polysiloxane, alcohol-modified polysiloxane,epoxy-modified polysiloxane and cyclic dimethyl polysiloxane. Of these,dimethyl polysiloxane is preferred.

[0028] The hair cosmetic composition of the present invention preferablyhas a pH (25° C.) of 2.0 to 6.0, especially 2.5 to 4.5 for imparting thehair with luster. Its pH can be adjusted by an acidic substance, forexample, an organic acid exemplified as the component (A) such as citricacid or lactic acid, or an inorganic acid, or a basic substance such assodium hydroxide.

[0029] The hair cosmetic composition of the present invention can beprepared in any one of the forms of an aqueous solution, ethanolsolution, emulsion, suspension, gel composition, liquid crystalcomposition, solid and aerosol. The hair cosmetic composition of thepresent invention can be used as a hair rinse, hair conditioner, hairtreatment, hair pack, hair cream, conditioning mousse, hair mousse, hairspray, shampoo or leave-on treatment. Especially, it is suited for useas a washing-off type such as hair rinse, hair conditioner or hairtreatment.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0030] The hair conditioners shown in Table 1 were prepared. Thedisappearance ratio of pores inside of the hair was measured; andsmoothness of the hair upon rinsing, and smoothness of the hair,improvement in luster, dryness and styling ease of the hair after dryingwere evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0031] (i) Disappearance Ratio of Pores Inside of the Hair

[0032] A hair bundle (0.5 g) damaged by coloring was washed with 1 g ofa plain shampoo (prepared using sodium polyoxyethylene (2.5) laurylethersulfate and diethanolamide). After water was drained off roughly, 1 g ofa hair conditioner was applied to the hair bundle. The resulting hairbundle was allowed to stand for 1 minute, followed by furtherapplication of 4 g of the hair conditioner. It was then allowed to standat 35 C. for 15 minutes. The hair bundle was rinsed with running waterfor 15 seconds, towel dried and hot-air dried by a drier for 1 minute(this hair treatment corresponds to successive use of the hairconditioner for 1 week). After this hair treatment was repeated 4 timesin total, the disappearance ratio of pores inside of the hair wasdetermined.

[0033] Measurement of Pores

[0034] The hair was exposed to a light irradiated obliquely (angle: 15to 60 degrees between the hair axis and light irradiation axis from alight source) from the hair root direction and observed from a directionon the same plane with the hair axis and light irradiation axis and atthe same time, vertical to the hair axis by using a simple measuringmicroscope (“WIDE STAND MICRO”, product of PEAK, ×10). This method makesit possible to remove a specular reflection light on the surface of thehair, which otherwise disturbs observation, thereby permittingobservation of only the porous structure at the medulla as white streaksat the center portion of the hair when the hair has pores formed therein(“Fragrance Journal, No.6, 11(2000)”). Before treatment, the wholelength of the porous portion observed at the medulla as white streakswas measured. The hair after treatment was subjected to similarmeasurement. From the ratio of pores before treatment to those aftertreatment, the disappearance ratio or formation ratio of pores wasdetermined.

[0035] (ii) Evaluation Methods of Smoothness, Improvement of Luster,Dryness and Styling Ease of the Hair

[0036] A hair bundle (20 g) was washed sufficiently with 1 g of a plainshampoo (prepared using sodium polyoxyethylene (2.5) laurylether sulfateand diethanolamide). After water was drained off roughly, 2 g of a hairconditioner was applied to the hair bundle. The hair bundle was rinsedfor 30 seconds with water of 40° C. running at 6 liter/min, towel driedand dried sufficiently by a hot wind of a drier for 2 to 3 minutes.

[0037] Organoleptic evaluation was conducted by a panel of 20 experts inaccordance with the below-described standards and ranking was made basedon the average of their scores.

[0038] Smoothness (Upon Rinsing and After Drying)

[0039] 4: The hair is markedly smooth.

[0040] 3: The hair is very smooth.

[0041] 2: The hair is smooth.

[0042] 1: The hair is slightly smooth.

[0043] 0: The hair is not smooth.

[0044] Improvement of Luster (After Drying)

[0045] 4: Marked improvement in luster is observed.

[0046] 3: Improvement in luster is observed.

[0047] 2: Slight improvement in luster is observed.

[0048] 1: No improvement in luster is observed.

[0049] 0: Luster is lost.

[0050] Dryness (After Drying)

[0051] 4: Dryness is not observed at all.

[0052] 3: Dryness is not observed.

[0053] 2: Slight dryness is observed.

[0054] 1: Dryness is observed.

[0055] 0: Much dryness is observed.

[0056] Styling Ease (After Drying)

[0057] 4: The hair can be styled at excellent ease.

[0058] 3: The hair can be styled at ease.

[0059] 2: The hair can be styled.

[0060] 1: The hair cannot be styled at ease.

[0061] 0: The hair cannot be styled.

[0062] [Rank]

[0063] A: 3.50 to 4.00 on average

[0064] B: 3.00 to 3.45 on average

[0065] 5 C: 2.00 to 2.95 on average

[0066] D: 1.00 to 1.95 on average

[0067] E: 0.00 to 0.95 on average TABLE 1 (%) Invention ProductComparative Product 1 2 1 2 Behenyltrimethylammonium chloride 1.7 1.7Stearyltrimethylammonium chloride 1.2 1.2 Cetanol 3.5 3.5 Behenylalcohol 5.1 5.1 Benzyl oxyethanol 0.3 0.5 0.3 PPG400 (molecular weight:400) 1 1 Malic acid 1 Lactic acid 4 4 Hydroxyethl cellulose 0.2 0.2 0.20.2 48% NaOH 0.2 0.2 1.5 Purified water Balance Balance Balance BalancepH (25° C.) 3.3 3.2 4.0 7.0 Disappearance ratio of pores 72 70 8 11inside of the hair (%) Smoothness of the hair upon rinsing A B A BSmoothness of the hair after drying A B A B Hair luster improving effectA A D C Dryness of the hair after drying A A D D Styling ease of thehair after drying A A D D

[0068] From the hair treated with the hair conditioners of the presentinvention, marked disappearance of pores was recognized. According tothe organoleptic evaluation, the hair treated with them had excellentsmoothness, improved luster, and good styling ease without dryness.

Example 2

[0069] In a similar manner to (i) of Example 1, treatment was performedfour times (hot-air drying time by a drier was increased to 5 minutes)by using 0.5 g of a hair bundle free from pores inside of the hair andhair conditioners of the invention product and comparative product. Theformation ratio of pores after treatment was measured in a similarmanner and results are shown in Table 2. TABLE 2 (%) Formation ratio ofpores Invention 1 0 products 2 0 Comparative 1 35 products 2 35

[0070] From the hair treated with the conditioner according to thepresent invention, formation of pores was not recognized, indicatingthat they have marked effects for preventing formation of pores.

[0071] According to the organoleptic evaluation, use of the hairconditioner according to the present invention prevented dryness of thehair, thereby bringing about good styling ease even after driertreatment for 5 to 10 minutes.

Examples 3

[0072] Hair conditioners shown in Table 3 were prepared. As in Example1, a disappearance ratio of pores inside of the hair was measured andsmoothness of the hair upon rinsing, and smoothness of the hair,improvement of luster, dryness and styling ease after drying wereevaluated. The results are shown in Table 3. TABLE 3 (%) ComparativeInvention products products 3 4 5 6 3 4 Malic acid 2 2 0.5 2 Lactic acid4 1 1 Polypropylene glycol (molecular 1 2 0.5 2 weight: 400)Behenyltrimethylammonium 1.7 2.25 1.7 1.7 2.25 chlorideStearyltrimethylammonium 1.2 chloride Cetanol 3.5 0.3 0.3 Behenylalcohol 5.1 7.2 5 5.1 7.2 Methyl polysiloxane (SH500- 3 2 2 2.5 35000CS) Isopropyl palmitate 1 1.5 1 0.5 1 Dipentaerythritol fatty acidester 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 Benzyloxyethanol 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.5Hydroxyethyl cellulose 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Polyethylene glycol (molecular0.1 0.05 weight: 100000 48% NaOH 0.2 0.2 0.25 0.2 0.25 Purified waterBalance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance pH (25° C.) 3.3 3.2 3.33.0 3.3 3.3 Disappearance ratio of pores 70 75 80 70 0 10 inside of thehair (%) Smoothness upon rinsing A B A A C C Smoothness after drying A BA A C D Hair luster improving effect A A A B E C Dryness of the hairafter drying A A A A B C Styling ease of the hair after A A A A B Cdrying

[0073] From the hair treated with any one of the hair conditionersaccording to the present invention, marked disappearance of pores wasrecognized. According to the organoleptic evaluation, the hair treatedby them had excellent smoothness, improved luster, and good styling easewithout dryness. In addition, they were stable for a long period oftime.

Example 4

[0074] A hair conditioner (pH 3.0) having the below-describedcomposition was prepared. (%) Behenyltrimethylammonium chloride 1.7(behenyl content: 85%) Behenyl alcohol (behenyl content: 85%) 5.0Isopropyl palmitate 0.5 Dipentaerythritol fatty acid ester 0.2 Methylpolysiloxane (“Silicone KHS-3”, 2.5 trade name; product of Shin-etsuChemical) Benzyl oxyethanol 0.3 Polypropylene glycol 400 (PPG400) 2.0Malic acid 0.5 Hydroxyethyl cellulose 0.2 Purified water Balance

[0075] It has been found that this hair conditioner had good touchfeeling during the period from application to rinsing, and even afterdrying, had good styling ease without dryness. The pore disappearanceratio as measured in a similar manner to Example 1 was 78%, indicating amarked pore repairing effect.

[0076] The pore disappearance ratio of a composition obtained by usingthe above-described components except benzyl oxyethanol, PPG400 andmalic acid, balancing the mixture with purified water, and adjusting itspH to 5.0 was measured, which resulted in 0%, indicating no porerepairing effect.

Example 5

[0077] A hair treatment (pH 3.3) having the below-described compositionwas prepared. (%) Stearylamidopropyldimethylamine · lactate 2.4 Cetanol7.0 Isopropyl palmitate 1.0 Dipentaerythritol fatty acid ester 0.3Methyl polysiloxane (“Silicone KHS-3”, 2.5 trade name; product ofShin-etsu Chemical) Benzyloxyethanol 0.5 Malic acid 1.0 Hydroxyethylcellulose 0.2 48% Aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide  0.15 Purifiedwater Balance

[0078] It has been found that this hair treatment had good touch feelingduring the period from application to rinsing, and had good styling easewithout dryness after drying. The pore formation ratio as measured in asimilar manner to Example 2 was 0% after 4-week use, indicating a markedpore preventing effect.

[0079] The pore formation ratio of a composition prepared by using theabove-described components except benzyloxyethanol and malic acid,balancing the mixture with purified water, and adjusting its pH to 4.5was measured, which resulted in 40%, indicating no pore preventingeffect.

1. A hair cosmetic composition which comprises the following components(A) to (D): (A): an organic acid, (B): an organic solvent selected fromaromatic alcohols, polyols and carbonates, (C): a cationic surfactant,and (D): a higher alcohol, and water and has a pH ranging from 2 to 6.2. A hair cosmetic composition according to claim 1, further comprisinga silicone as component (E).
 3. A hair cosmetic composition according toclaim 1 or 2, wherein the component (A) is a dicarboxylic acid orhydroxycarboxylic acid.
 4. A hair cosmetic composition according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cationic surfactant occupying 70 to100 wt. % of the component (C) and the higher alcohol occupying 70 to100 wt. % of the component (D) have respective aliphatic hydrocarbongroups same in the number of carbon atoms.
 5. A method of repairingpores formed inside of the colored, permanent waved or blow dried hair,which comprises applying a hair cosmetic composition as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 to the hair.
 6. A method of preventing formation ofpores inside of the colored, permanent waved or blow dried hair, whichcomprises applying a hair cosmetic composition as claimed in any one ofclaims 1 to 4 to the hair.